Sequence Integral During Checkout

Published: Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 11:57 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 11:57 p.m.

Be organized at the checkout line.

This might seem like a no-brainer, however, I do get requests frequently from cashiers who know I teach coupon classes to help customers better understand the checkout procedure. So, cashiers, this one is for you.

Hand your coupons in this order to the cashier:

1. $ off of $ coupon: for example a $5 off of $25 coupon, you always want to give your money off coupon first when the total is still the correct amount.

Places to get this type of coupon:

a. Occasionally, Publix will have them on a coupon booklet

b. When you check out at Winn Dixie with your reward card, occasionally the Catalina (coupon printer) will print money off coupon. You can use this at either Publix or Winn Dixie!

c. Check your Sunday inserts from the newspaper for single-page flyers with coupons on them.

2. Store coupons: If you are shopping at a store that allows store coupons, which most of them do, go ahead and give them second. Store coupons will say Store Coupon or list the name of the store on the coupon. Many of them will say "redeemable only at" and then list the name of the store. Check with your Publix who they consider a competitor, and you often can use those store coupons at Publix as well.

3. Manufacturer coupon: These can be found everywhere! They come in the Sunday inserts from the newspaper, they can be printed from the Internet, you can request them to be mailed to your home from the manufacturer, you also can find them in the stores.

4. BOGO coupons/Free item coupons: I also like to separate my coupons that have a write-in amount. For instance, ones that say buy-one-item-get-one-free and have to have the amount written on the coupon. One thing I do when the cashier is scanning the item, I will say, "I have a coupon that makes that item free. Would you like me to write the amount in now?" Generally, they are very pleased to allow me to do this because it saves them the time from having to go through the screen and find the amount of the item.

I have also found that being organized at the register makes for a much smoother, hassle-free checkout. It also helps me keep track of what is happening. I generally have about 80 coupons when I go to Publix. So for me, breaking it up like that makes it easier to be certain they are being used. This is also how the cashier has to separate them into the bag. It's a win-win situation for us and them!

<p>Be organized at the checkout line.</p><p>This might seem like a no-brainer, however, I do get requests frequently from cashiers who know I teach coupon classes to help customers better understand the checkout procedure. So, cashiers, this one is for you.</p><p>Hand your coupons in this order to the cashier:</p><p>1. $ off of $ coupon: for example a $5 off of $25 coupon, you always want to give your money off coupon first when the total is still the correct amount.</p><p>Places to get this type of coupon:</p><p>a. Occasionally, Publix will have them on a coupon booklet</p><p>b. When you check out at Winn Dixie with your reward card, occasionally the Catalina (coupon printer) will print money off coupon. You can use this at either Publix or Winn Dixie!</p><p>c. Check your Sunday inserts from the newspaper for single-page flyers with coupons on them.</p><p>2. Store coupons: If you are shopping at a store that allows store coupons, which most of them do, go ahead and give them second. Store coupons will say Store Coupon or list the name of the store on the coupon. Many of them will say "redeemable only at" and then list the name of the store. Check with your Publix who they consider a competitor, and you often can use those store coupons at Publix as well.</p><p>3. Manufacturer coupon: These can be found everywhere! They come in the Sunday inserts from the newspaper, they can be printed from the Internet, you can request them to be mailed to your home from the manufacturer, you also can find them in the stores.</p><p>4. BOGO coupons/Free item coupons: I also like to separate my coupons that have a write-in amount. For instance, ones that say buy-one-item-get-one-free and have to have the amount written on the coupon. One thing I do when the cashier is scanning the item, I will say, "I have a coupon that makes that item free. Would you like me to write the amount in now?" Generally, they are very pleased to allow me to do this because it saves them the time from having to go through the screen and find the amount of the item.</p><p>I have also found that being organized at the register makes for a much smoother, hassle-free checkout. It also helps me keep track of what is happening. I generally have about 80 coupons when I go to Publix. So for me, breaking it up like that makes it easier to be certain they are being used. This is also how the cashier has to separate them into the bag. It's a win-win situation for us and them!</p><p>Do you have any tips on making the checkout process easier?</p><p></p><p>[ Melissa Williams is a Lakeland resident and coupon workshop instructor. Email your coupon success stories and questions to thecouponnavigator@gmail.com. ]</p>